Audrey Marie Helsley
March 26, 1928 – December 29, 2020
Born in Ringtown, Pennsylvania
Resided in O’Fallon, Missouri
Audrey Marie Helsley (nee Stauffer) O’Fallon, MO, entered into the presence of her Heavenly Father on December 29, 2020 at the age of 92. She was born to Harry and Gertrude Stauffer on March 26, 1928, in Ringtown, Pennsylvania.
After graduating high school, Audrey worked as a bookkeeper. She married Donald H. Helsley on September 13, 1947. Audrey and Don were married for 59 years. They were blessed with three daughters; Catherine (James) Crosier of Florissant, Dawn (Micheal) Kahler of Lake St. Louis and Malu (Donald) Martin of Troy. She was devoted to caring for her children at home for many years. Audrey continued her bookkeeping skills when she and Don owned their HVAC businesses.
Attending church and serving the Lord with gladness brought great joy to Audrey. Through the years, she served on various church committees, the Altar Guild, and was a member of LWML.
Audrey and Don traveled to several countries, Scotland was her favorite. She also enjoyed traveling with Don to several Super Bowl games. Audrey remained a loyal St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan.
Audrey’s greatest joys were her six grandchildren, and she treasured time spent with her eight great-grandchildren.
Family was very important to Audrey. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She had a great sense of humor and quick wit! How she loved spending quality time with her grandchildren – going for walks, visiting her favorite donut shop, solving puzzles together, and playing cards, dominoes and board games. Audrey was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother, Chester Stauffer and one sister, Rita Patrouskie.
Memorials may be made in Audrey’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Holy Cross Lutheran Ladies Guild.
The funeral service can be streamed on www.hcross.com
I used to worked at NHC Town in Country nursing home where Audrey was a former resident. I worked in activities. To hear she had passed on was very saddening to hear. However, I know she is in a better place with Don and no longer suffering. She was so sweet and so kind. She loved talking with people and loved to laugh. Everybody in the facility knew who Audrey was. Even the families of other residents knew her and would talk with her. Audrey was always up for any activity. She enjoyed happy hour, musical entertainment, exercise, ice cream social, being outdoors, church service, arts and crafts, movies, BINGO, parties, and so much more. She would always stop by the activity office multiply times a day to just hang out and we always enjoyed her company. The director of activities had a wonderful relationship with Audrey and loved her like she was her own mother. Audrey was a very pure soul and kind to everybody she came across. To me, she was that typical sweet, innocent grandma who could light up a room. Audrey will be missed. My deepest condolences to Catherine and the rest of Audrey’s family. May Audrey’s memory be a blessing. May she Rest In Peace.
Thank you, Gregory, for your kind words about our beloved mother and lifelong friend. She enjoyed the activities that you planned for the residents, as well as your engaging personality and humor! Thank you for being a blessing in Mother’s life while she was residing at NHC. Yes, her kindness and sweet smile did light up every life she touched. How we miss her!! Our family is thankful that she is enjoying her heavenly home with her sweet Savior, Jesus. Thank you for your sympathies expressed and your beautiful tribute to our Mother. Peace.
Gregory, thank your so much for the beautiful kind words you expressed about our mother. She enjoyed being at NHC and participating in all the different activities you planned for the residents. You always had a kind spirit with all the residents and with our mother. She will be missed greatly!! But home is now with her Savior in heaven and is probably walking around and talking and smiling at everyone she meets.
Thank you for your deepest sympathies that you shared with us about mom they truly mean a lot to our family!